There really is a definite difference in the taste of Irish whiskey. But I've tried several homemade Irish Cream recipes and off brands and none of them really taste as good as Bailey's (Sorry, that's just the way it is.) So using another whiskey won't really make it that different.

Kentucky bourbon will make a huge difference!!!
You would be better using Scotch which tastes similar to Irish Whiskey...or something more mellow...like a Candaian blend.
But I would think Old Grand Dad would be awful in irish Cream!
Linda C

Please don't!

Irish Whisky and American bourbon taste totally different. The Irish is much smoother. There is a reason Old Grand Dad is also called Old Gag Dad. Slainte!

Oh no, no, no! The different whiskeys taste very different from each other. Bourbon has an almost sour edge, and believe it or not, I swear I can taste the corn in the aftertaste....sort of like a popcorn burp. Sorry if that's too descriptive.

Canadian Whiskey is almost sweet, and probably the best substitute for Irish, though if you had to go to the store anyway, you might as well buy Irish.

Scotch is smoky to varying degrees, depending on what area it comes from. I cannot imagine that a smoky scotch would be a reasonable substitute for Irish whiskey, which aside from a very few exceptions (which you probably can't buy here anyway) are not produced using peat fires as Scotch is. I think your Irish cream would end up having a very odd flavor indeed.

LOL!! Wow, all of you are emphatic about this, I get the message! I'll go buy some real Irish whiskey tomorrow. Any brands in particular I should look for?

Can any of you guess I'm not much of a drinker?

rachelellen, eating popcorn now will just never be the same - ;-)

Nicole

I'm a Scotch drinker.....and, side by side, Irish whiskey and Scotch Whiskey are very very similar.
I can't take straight bourbon, but Irish is just fine thank you!
Linda C

Irish whiskey is like scotch without the peaty taste. Irish is my favorite - usually Bushmills or Jameson - but I normally drink it straight. I don't know what other than Baileys would be best in Irish cream.

It isn't sweet and isn't at all like Canadian to me.

I like bourbon in desserts like rice pudding but it's pretty low on my list of drinks.

Any Jameson will be fine in a mix.

I like Jameson 18 or RedBreast if I'm taking my time.

If I'm drinking bourbon, it's Russel's Reserve.

AM

Knowing how contentious this could be, I've stayed out of the discussion and refuse to reveal my preferences.

Now that Irish whiskey has been settled on, another problem arises. Jameson's is made in Ireland while Bushmill's is from Northern Ireland. To some people that is an important difference. Will there be any partisans at your book club? It's something to think about especially when gifting someone of Irish heritage with a bottle.

Jim

Jameson's is made in Ireland while Bushmill's is from Northern Ireland. To some people that is an important difference. Will there be any partisans at your book club?

I don't know!

We usually bring dishes or drinks that represent the book we are discussing. Tomorrow's book takes place in Dublin, so it looks like I should be okay with the Jameson's that I bought.

Nicole

Whew! I think you lucked out with the Jameson's. In that context, who could argue?

Jim

Both Jameson's and Bushmill's are owned by the same company(Diageo) as well as such brands as Seagrams and Johnny Walker.

Bushmill is owned by Diageo, but Jameson is owned by Pernod Ricard so they are owned by competing conglomerates. However, some folks will drink one and not the other based on partisanship for one side or another in Ireland.

I drink both (but I'm not Irish, nor am I Catholic or Protestant) - I slightly prefer Bushmills but both are quite good.

LOL, now this is an interesting discussion. I won't add an opinion because I don't like any of them, but I'm thinking I might be able to choke it down if it were mixed with coffee, cream, almond, vanilla and chocolate!

I know, the Irish side of my family would be disappointed in me. (grin) My Great-great-great-great Grandmother, Bridget Murphy, would have approved of the Jameson's, I have a feeling. My Native American Great Grandmother would have said that we should stay away from it all!

Annie

cloud, I stand corrected on the Jameson's. Diageo owns Guinness Brewing.

Well, it was a hit, and everyone drank it quite happily. And someone did ask what whiskey I used. She was very satisfied I said Jameson's!

Everyone thank you again for your guidance.

Nicole

Oh good! I'm glad it turned out well!

Isn't it funny how so many people can have such different perceptions about the different types of whiskey?

Nice! Another success after days of fretting, indecision and loads of advice from the group. It happens a lot here.

Jim

Well I learned at least one thing from this thread: As a scotch drinker I was all set to take issue with those who said Irish whisky was similar to scotch. But I figured I better try some again (it had been years) before I open my big mouth. And I have to admit, I think the two are actually closer than bourbon is to TN whiskey, which many consider practically one and the same.

I think you're right, FOAS, considering the great variety of scotches. Many of those are quite different from each other. So it stands to reason some would be noticeably different from any given Irish whiskey.

Jim

I think Jameson is closer in taste to J and B Scotch than say...Black and White is to J and B...I cannot drink straight bourbon....but I like Irish whiskey.
If you are out of Scotch, you can serve Jameson's to a Scotch drinker and they will just think it's a different brand....but I am not sure you could serve Scotch and pass it off as Irish....unless it had chocolate, almond etc in it.
Linda C